Tips on how to Setup Betaflight on Your FPV Drone for the First Flight: Inexperienced persons Masterclass

November 12, 2025

3

30.8K

Betaflight can appear intimidating at first look — there are such a lot of tabs, settings, and unfamiliar phrases. However don’t fear — there are solely a handful of choices you really want to configure to get your drone flying. Explaining each characteristic in Betaflight would take hours, so on this information, I’ll deal with the important setup steps you want after constructing or shopping for your first FPV drone.

Among the hyperlinks on this web page are affiliate hyperlinks. I obtain a fee (at no further price to you) if you happen to make a purchase order after clicking on one in all these affiliate hyperlinks. This helps assist the free content material for the neighborhood on this web site. Please learn our Affiliate Hyperlink Coverage for extra info.

Betaflight is the most well-liked flight controller firmware for FPV drones. Should you’re new to FPV, try my overview of flight controller firmware to be taught the way it compares to different choices: https://oscarliang.com/fc-firmware/#Betaflight

The place to Get Betaflight Configurator

Betaflight Configurator is the software program used to configure and flash firmware to your flight controller.

Now you can entry it instantly in your internet browser — no set up wanted: https://app.betaflight.com/

Notice: The Betaflight Configurator internet app solely works in Google Chrome and different Chromium-based browsers resembling Microsoft Edge or Vivaldi. It’s not appropriate with Firefox, Safari, or Opera.

Should you choose the normal desktop model, you’ll be able to obtain and set up it from GitHub: https://github.com/betaflight/betaflight-configurator/releases/newest

The net model is usually the best to make use of because it doesn’t require set up or handbook updates — it’s all the time the most recent launch. That stated, there are just a few circumstances the place it’s your decision the desktop model, resembling:

Your drone makes use of an previous model of Betaflight firmware, and also you want an identical Configurator model.
You don’t have entry to the web or choose a standalone setup.

Configurator Choices

Earlier than connecting your flight controller, let’s alter just a few preliminary Configurator settings to make your workflow smoother.

Click on Choices within the left-hand panel.

Listed here are just a few suggestions:

Reopen final tab on join – mechanically opens the final tab you used everytime you reconnect to the flight controller.
Digital connection mode – enables you to discover and be taught Betaflight Configurator while not having an actual flight controller linked.
Allow Darkish Theme – simpler on the eyes, particularly for lengthy setup periods.
Change language – change to your most well-liked language for higher readability.

Updating Firmware

You don’t need to replace the firmware instantly.

Should you bought your flight controller following my suggestions, it ought to already include Betaflight pre-installed. Whereas there could be a more recent model accessible, updating isn’t crucial until the brand new launch consists of particular options or bug fixes you need.

In case your drone is flying positive and also you’re new to Betaflight, it’s greatest to carry off on updating for now — flashing new firmware can erase all of your present settings, that means you’d need to arrange the drone once more from scratch.

Should you do determine to replace, observe this step-by-step tutorial to flash it: https://oscarliang.com/flash-update-betaflight/

Connecting Your Drone to the Laptop

Join your drone to your pc utilizing a USB cable — be sure you’re plugging into the precise flight controller, not the DJI Air Unit or different elements. There isn’t any must plug within the battery.

In case your pc doesn’t acknowledge the flight controller, double-check that you simply’re utilizing a knowledge cable, not a charge-only cable.

In Betaflight Configurator:

Click on “Choose your machine”, then “I can’t discover my USB machine”.
A pop-up will seem exhibiting accessible COM ports.
Choose the one that claims “Betaflight”.

Tip: Should you’re uncertain which COM port is the suitable one, unplug the USB cable and reconnect it — the right port is the one which seems once you reconnect.

Should you can’t discover the COM port or nonetheless can’t join, you could have a driver subject in your pc. Observe this information for an answer: https://oscarliang.com/fc-driver-issues-flash-firmware/.

Interface Defined

When you click on Join, you’ll be greeted by a 3D mannequin of your drone on the Setup tab.

Let’s stroll via the interface and what you must take note of:

Firmware Model and Goal – Reveals which model of Betaflight and goal board are at present put in in your FC.
Voltage Studying – Shows the voltage detected by the FC. If no LiPo battery is linked, it can present the USB voltage.
Sensor Icons (High Bar) – The lit-up icons characterize lively sensors in your flight controller.
- If an icon is purple, it signifies a possible subject (e.g., a purple GPS icon means it hasn’t acquired a satellite tv for pc repair but).
- For fundamental flying, all you really want is the Gyro — the opposite sensors merely present further options or flight modes.

On the left-hand panel, you’ll see all of the accessible tabs. To maintain issues easy, we’ll solely configure the important settings — simply sufficient to get your drone off the bottom. When you achieve extra expertise, you’ll be able to discover the extra tabs for superior options.

Earlier than continuing, click on Allow Professional Mode within the top-right nook. This unlocks further tabs and superior choices which might be hidden by default. You don’t essentially want to alter them proper now, but it surely’s helpful to have them seen — in any other case, you may surprise later why sure settings are lacking.

Should you see a pop up warning resembling “The accelerometer is enabled however not calibrated”, don’t fear. Merely place your drone on a degree floor and click on Calibrate Accelerometer within the Setup tab to repair it.

Presets Tab

I like to leap to the Presets tab first as a result of that is the place you must create a backup earlier than making any modifications in Betaflight.

There are a number of methods to again up your Betaflight configuration (defined right here: https://oscarliang.com/backup-restore-betaflight-config), however the simplest way is to easily click on the “Save Backup” button within the Presets tab.

Apart from backups, the Presets tab can also be the place the web neighborhood shares their tunes, charges, and OSD layouts. You may discover and apply these presets instantly from inside Betaflight. Study extra about how they work right here: https://oscarliang.com/betaflight-presets/

Setup Tab

The Setup tab is the primary tab you’ll see in Betaflight Configurator.

Right here you’ll be able to confirm your flight controller’s orientation. Maintain your drone in your hand with the digicam dealing with away from you, click on “Reset Z Axis”, then gently tilt the drone round. You must see the 3D mannequin on display transfer precisely as your drone strikes — meaning your accelerometer is working appropriately.

Fast Tip: If the 3D mannequin doesn’t match your drone’s actions, attempt putting it on a superbly degree floor and click on “Calibrate Accelerometer.” You often solely want to do that as soon as when establishing a brand new drone.

If the 3D mannequin nonetheless doesn’t transfer appropriately, it’s doubtless your FC is mounted within the mistaken orientation — for instance, the wrong way up or dealing with sideways (the arrow on the FC ought to level ahead). You may repair this in two methods:

Bodily rotate the flight controller to the right orientation, or
Within the Configuration tab, alter the Board Sensor Alignment (Yaw offset) by setting it to 90°, 180°, or 270° till it matches appropriately.

Ports Tab

The Ports tab is the place you configure all of the peripherals (exterior units) linked to your flight controller through UART ports.

Every UART has two connections:

TX = Transmit
RX = Obtain

You’ll see these labeled in your FC as TX1/RX1, TX2/RX2, and so forth — every pair represents one UART.

Should you purchased a BNF (Bind-N-Fly) drone, the Ports tab might be already configured appropriately, and also you don’t want to alter something right here. Nonetheless, if you happen to’re constructing a drone from scratch, listed below are the 2 important configurations it is advisable to know:

Receiver Setup:
- Should you’re utilizing a serial receiver (resembling ExpressLRS or Crossfire), allow “Serial RX” on the UART your receiver is linked to.
Video System Setup:
- For digital FPV programs like DJI or Walksnail, choose “VTX (MSP + DisplayPort)” beneath Peripherals for the UART linked to your video transmitter (this additionally permits MSP mechanically).
- For analog FPV programs, if you happen to’ve linked the SmartAudio or IRC Tramp wire for VTX management, choose both “VTX (TBS SmartAudio)” or “VTX (IRC Tramp)” beneath Peripherals.

Fast Tip: Should you’re utilizing DJI or Walksnail, there’s a good simpler method — go to the Presets tab and apply the preset known as “OSD for FPV.WTF, DJI O3, Avatar HD” (simply search “DJI”). It will mechanically configure the Ports and OSD tab for you.

Professional Tip: At all times click on “Save and Reboot” (backside left of the display) after making modifications. Should you change to a different tab or shut Betaflight with out saving, your modifications shall be misplaced.

Configuration Tab

The Configuration tab accommodates your drone’s core system settings — issues like replace frequencies, sensors, and flight options. You may depart most choices at their default values, however there are just a few necessary settings you must assessment and alter if wanted.

1. System Configuration

Gyro Replace Frequency: This determines how briskly gyro samples are taken. The worth depends upon the precise gyro used in your flight controller and is often fastened, so that you don’t want to alter it.

PID Loop Frequency (Looptime): This controls how briskly the PID calculations are carried out. The quickest looptime you should utilize is when it matches your gyro replace frequency (for instance, in case your gyro replace frequency is 8K, the utmost PID loop frequency can be 8K. Nonetheless, increased looptime means extra CPU load, so relying in your flight controller’s processing energy and what number of options you’ve enabled, it’s not all the time greatest to max it out.

Common guideline:

F4 FC: 4kHz
F7 / H7 FC: 4kHz or 8kHz
BMI270 gyro: Set PID Loop Frequency to three.2 kHz regardless the processor as a result of this gyro solely helps 3.2kHz Gyro replace fee).

Everytime you enhance PID Loop Frequency or allow further options, control the CPU Load indicator on the backside of the display — Betaflight 4.5 recommends conserving it beneath 75%. Excessively excessive CPU load may cause instability to the flight controller. To cut back CPU load, both decrease the PID Loop Frequency or disable pointless options and sensors.

You can too allow or disable onboard sensors right here:

Accelerometer: All flight controllers have accelerometer, so you’ll be able to safely depart it enabled. Your drone can nonetheless fly with out it, however flight modes like Angle Mode, Horizon Mode, and GPS Rescue require it.
Barometer / Magnetometer: Just some flight controllers have these sensors onboard, so allow these in case your FC really has them and you intend to make use of altitude maintain or GPS options.

2. Personalization

Give your drone a reputation beneath Personalization. This identify seems in your OSD and in your CLI backup information, which makes it simpler to determine completely different quads later.

3. Arming Angle

The Arming Angle is a security characteristic that stops your drone from arming when it’s in an uncommon orientation. By default, it’s set to 25°, that means in case your drone is tilted greater than 25° from degree (assuming your accelerometer is calibrated), you gained’t be capable to arm.

Should you set this worth to 180°, it successfully disables this restriction, permitting you to arm no matter orientation — even the wrong way up. This may be useful in some conditions, for instance in case your drone lands on uneven floor or will get caught in a tree; you’ll be able to re-arm and attempt to shake it free.

4. Options

Allow solely the options you propose to make use of. At minimal, be certain OSD is enabled — it’s important for seeing flight information like battery voltage, flight time, and warnings in your goggles.

5. DShot Beacon

I all the time advocate enabling DShot Beacon. It turns your motors into audible beepers (once they’re not spinning), which helps you find your drone after a crash — particularly if you happen to don’t have a bodily buzzer. You may be taught extra about which Beacon Tones and choices to make use of right here: https://oscarliang.com/dshot-beacon/

As soon as set, click on Save and Reboot.

Voltage Calibration

Earlier than you fly, it’s necessary to ensure Betaflight is studying your battery voltage precisely.

Measure your battery voltage utilizing a multimeter or battery checker.
Plug the battery into your drone (take away the propellers first for security).
In Betaflight Configurator, test the voltage studying on the high bar (highlighted in purple).

If the voltage reported in Betaflight doesn’t match your measured voltage, you’ll must calibrate the voltage sensor.

Tips on how to calibrate:

Go to the Energy & Battery tab.
Click on the Calibration button (backside proper).
Enter the measured voltage within the pop-up field, then click on Calibrate.
Apply the brand new voltage scale — and that’s it!

Your voltage readings ought to now match your precise battery voltage.

Failsafe Tab

The Failsafe tab controls how your drone behaves if it loses connection together with your radio — making it one of the vital necessary security settings in Betaflight.

⚠️ If the Failsafe tab is lacking, allow Professional Mode first to make it seen.

For an in depth clarification of how Failsafe works, try my full tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/setup-failsafe/.

Minimal Beneficial Setup:

Should you don’t have GPS, set the failsafe Stage 2 motion to “Drop”.
- When failsafe triggers (e.g. RC sign is misplaced), the drone will pause briefly to see if the sign returns, then disarm the motors and drop safely to the bottom.
- That is safer than letting the drone fly away uncontrollably.
Should you do have GPS, think about using GPS Rescue mode as an alternative, which makes the drone mechanically return towards the takeoff level. I’ve a tutorial on tips on how to Setup GPS Rescue in Betaflight: https://oscarliang.com/setup-gps-rescue-mode-betaflight/

As soon as completed, click on Save and Reboot.

Receiver Tab

The Receiver tab enables you to configure and confirm that your radio receiver is working appropriately together with your flight controller.

Setting Up Receiver

Should you’re utilizing an ExpressLRS or Crossfire receiver:

Receiver Mode: Serial (through UART)
Serial Receiver Supplier: CRSF
Allow Telemetry

Binding the Receiver

As soon as your settings are right, bind your receiver to your radio transmitter.

After binding, you must see the channel bars and the 3D mannequin within the configurator transfer once you transfer your sticks.

If the mistaken channels reply (e.g., roll strikes once you throttle), attempt a distinct Channel Map. It’s often both AETR1234 or TAER1234. Nonetheless mistaken? Tips on how to Configure Channel Map Correctly: https://oscarliang.com/channel-map/

Troubleshooting No Stick Response

If the channels aren’t responding in any respect:

Is the receiver certain to the transmitter? (do you see a strong inexperienced LED on receiver?)
Is the receiver soldered to the right UART pins (TX/RX)?
Have you ever enabled Serial RX for the right UART within the Ports Tab?
Have you ever chosen the right RX protocol (CRSF for ExpressLRS/Crossfire)?

Checking Channel Midpoints and Endpoints

As soon as your sticks are shifting appropriately, confirm the midpoints and endpoints for the primary 4 channels (Pitch, Roll, Yaw, and Throttle):

Midpoints (don’t contact the sticks): ~1500 (it’s okay to have some jitters, if it fluctuates barely between 1498–1502, you’ll be able to repair it by coming into 2 within the RC/Yaw deadband)
Endpoints (push the sticks to the perimeters): ~1000 (low) and ~2000 (excessive). Small variations are completely positive (e.g., 988 or 2012).

In case your midpoints or endpoints are off, observe this information to repair them: https://oscarliang.com/adjust-tx-channel-mid-end-point/.

Understanding Stick Thresholds

Stick Low Threshold: Defines how low the throttle stick should go for the FC to acknowledge it’s absolutely down. This impacts arming habits and parameters like PID_MIN_THROTTLE.
Keep away from setting it precisely to 1000, even when your throttle can go that low — set it round 1010–1050 is a safer guess.
Stick Heart: At all times 1500.
Stick Excessive Threshold: Defines when the throttle stick is taken into account absolutely raised. The default worth of 1900 is okay and doesn’t have an effect on stick vary and flight efficiency.

Notice: Stick thresholds are usually not the identical as stick endpoints — they merely inform Betaflight tips on how to interpret stick positions for sure capabilities (e.g., arming, OSD menu). Due to this fact you’ll be able to simply depart these settings at default.

Modes Tab

The Modes tab enables you to assign radio switches to activate completely different flight modes and capabilities resembling:

Arming (required to take off)
Angle Mode (self-leveling)
Beeper (discover your drone)
Flip Over After Crash (a.ok.a. Turtle Mode)

You’ll find an in depth clarification of every mode right here: https://oscarliang.com/betaflight-modes/

Tips on how to assign a change:

Setup the switches in your radio first (you’ll be able to assign switches to channels 5 to 12): https://oscarliang.com/setup-switch-mixes/
Click on “Add Vary” on the specified mode.
Flip the change in your radio — Betaflight will mechanically detect it.
Alter the slider vary to outline when the mode is lively.
Flip the change once more — the yellow marker ought to transfer beneath the slider. Make sure that it falls inside the lively vary when the mode is ON.
Click on Save to verify your setup.

Motors Tab

The Motors tab is used to check and configure your motors and ESCs.

⚠️ Security First: At all times take away all propellers earlier than testing motors in Betaflight.

ESC/Motor Protocol

The one setting you often want to alter right here is the ESC/Motor Protocol. For any trendy ESC, DShot is really useful. The quantity after DShot signifies the communication velocity and will match your PID Loop Frequency:

DShot600 for 8KHz
DShot300 for 4KHz
DShot150 for 2KHz

Additional Studying: ESC Protocols and Firmware Overview

To your first flight, you’ll be able to depart all different motor tab settings at their default values.

Click on Save and Reboot, then return to the Motor Tab to check your setup.

Testing Motors

Verify the next:

Do the motors spin? Use the grasp slider or take a look at them individually.
Are they within the right order?
Do they spin within the right path?

The proper motor order and path (default “props in” configuration):

motor 1 at rear proper, spins clockwise
motor 2 at entrance proper, spins counter clockwise
motor 3 at rear left, spins counter clockwise
motor 4 at entrance left, spins clockwise

If the motor order is mistaken, click on “Reorder Motors” and observe the on-screen directions.

If any motors spin within the mistaken path, click on “Motor Route” to reverse them.

Additional Studying: the default configuration is named props in, however when the motor rotation is reversed it’s known as props out. Study the variations right here: https://oscarliang.com/reversed-motor-prop-rotation-quadcopter/

OSD Tab

The OSD tab enables you to select which flight information seem in your goggles — resembling battery voltage, timer, GPS coordinates, distance to dwelling, velocity, altitude, flight mode and so on.

Video Format

For digital FPV programs (DJI, Walksnail, HDZero): Set Video Format to HD for proper font sizing and structure.
For analog FPV programs: Choose Auto, or select PAL/NTSC if you recognize your digicam format.

Including and Positioning OSD Components

On the left, you’ll discover a record of accessible OSD components. To allow one, tick the field within the first column (every column belongs to a distinct OSD profile). The component will seem within the preview space — drag and drop it anyplace you like.

The 2 will need to have components are battery voltage and warnings, the remainder are as much as you.

Instance OSD Format

As a substitute of manually positioning every component, you’ll be able to paste this configuration into the CLI tab. That is my very own OSD structure for a DJI freestyle quad (with out GPS):

set osd_vbat_pos = 2497
set osd_link_quality_pos = 2081
set osd_rssi_dbm_pos = 2049
set osd_tim_2_pos = 3567
set osd_flymode_pos = 3535
set osd_throttle_pos = 3407
set osd_current_pos = 3438
set osd_mah_drawn_pos = 2529
set osd_craft_name_pos = 3083
set osd_gps_speed_pos = 1449
set osd_warnings_pos = 14677
set osd_avg_cell_voltage_pos = 2519
save

It seems to be like this.

Should you want extra information I’ve an entire tutorial going via each facet of Betaflight OSD: https://oscarliang.com/betaflight-osd/.

PID Tuning Tab

The PID Tuning tab lets you fine-tune your quad’s flight habits and make it fly precisely the way you need.

At first look, this tab can look intimidating, however you don’t want to alter something to your first flights — the default Betaflight tune works very properly for a variety of FPV drones. Whenever you’re able to dive deeper, try my detailed information on PID tuning: https://oscarliang.com/fpv-drone-tuning/

Charges and Expo (Rateprofile Settings)

The principle factor value experimenting with as a newbie are charges and expo — these management how your drone responds to stay actions.

Decrease charges → smoother, extra exact management (nice for cinematic flying or learners).
Increased charges → faster, extra responsive really feel (supreme for freestyle or racing).

There’s no common “greatest” fee — it’s fully private desire and depends upon your flying model.

If you’d like some recommendations on tips on how to tune your charges, right here is my tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/charges/#Understanding-Precise-Charges

Video Transmitter Tab

Should you’re utilizing DJI or Walksnail, you’ll be able to skip this tab — it solely applies to analog.

The Video Transmitter tab enables you to configure your VTX by loading a VTX Desk. This allows you to change channels and energy ranges via your OSD menu.

There are 3 ways to load a VTX Desk:

Choose a VTX Desk Preset within the Presets tab
Load a JSON file within the Video Transmitter tab
Paste a code snippet within the CLI tab (my most well-liked methodology)

You may often discover the right JSON file or CLI snippet in your VTX’s product web page. If not, test the producer’s web site or just seek for it on-line.

Professional Ideas

Tips on how to Cease Your Drone Beeping on the Bench

In case your drone retains beeping when linked through USB, it’s doubtless as a result of your radio is off and the FC doesn’t detect a sound radio hyperlink. To repair this, go to the Configuration Tab → Beeper Configuration, and disable the “USB” choice.

Security Checks Earlier than Maiden Flight

Earlier than flying your drone for the primary time, it’s important to check your failsafe. In case your failsafe is about to “Drop”, the motors ought to disarm instantly when sign is misplaced. You do not need the drone to behave unexpectedly within the occasion of a failsafe.

Take away all propellers for security.
Plug within the battery, flip in your radio, and arm the quad — the motors ought to begin spinning.
Now flip off your radio to simulate sign loss.
The motors ought to cease spinning inside a few seconds.
In the event that they proceed spinning, revisit your failsafe settings, and reset them to default if crucial.

Different Betaflight Tutorials

Betaflight could be overwhelming at first, however when you’ve mastered the fundamentals from this information, you’ll be able to discover its superior options. Listed here are some helpful tutorials to proceed your studying journey:

Remaining Ideas

Betaflight doesn’t need to be sophisticated. By understanding simply the core setup steps lined on this information, you’ll achieve the arrogance to setup your FPV drone and begin flying with ease. When you’re snug, experiment, discover, and benefit from the freedom FPV gives!

Completely satisfied flying!

Edit Historical past

Dec 2017 – Article created
Jul 2018 – Up to date directions
Sep 2018 – Added “Tips on how to Replace” and new tutorial hyperlinks
Jan 2021 – Up to date for Betaflight 4.2
Oct 2022 – Up to date for Betaflight 4.3
Jan 2023 – Up to date for Betaflight 4.4
Nov 2025 – Up to date for Betaflight 2025.12